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I’m looking for nice Z06 to buy and I was looking for 2002 to 2004 Z06 with low mileage (up to 30,000).
I found 2002 red with 35,000 fir $26,000. Private owner, car looks nice and I like it.
…..but I was checking listings and I found two C6 Z06.
1. 2006 red with 51,000 for $34,000
2. 2007 silver with 62,000 fir $35,000.
I like red, black or yellow. Silver is not so Corvette color but….. it’s 2008.
I know almost everything about differences between every year so I know about transmission versions and valve problems on C6 Z06.
I always thought I will buy Corvette and keep it for years but how can I be sure? Maybe after a few years I will realize that I don’t drive it too much and it take space and cost money, I don’t have anyone to drove some places ……
What to you think which would be a better buy :
2002 or any of those C6 ?????
If I think about resale value 2002 makes more sense but on the other hand in a few years parts might be harder to get because of GM bankruptcy in 2007.
what are your thoughts?
Thank you for all of your opinions.
C5Z
C6Z is a big risk from the Ls7 engine. Don't get me wrong, I love the platform & engine, but if I ever got one, I'd get one with the engine already re-done or prepared to drop $15-20k on a complete rebuild to eliminate the valve and Ti issue. fyi I can 'afford' any toy up to 100k or so, and I own a C5Z. the 'rawness', compact package, and rather unique body just does 'it' for me.
Good luck
C5Z
C6Z is a big risk from the Ls7 engine. Don't get me wrong, I love the platform & engine, but if I ever got one, I'd get one with the engine already re-done or prepared to drop $15-20k on a complete rebuild to eliminate the valve and Ti issue. fyi I can 'afford' any toy up to 100k or so, and I own a C5Z. the 'rawness', compact package, and rather unique body just does 'it' for me.
Good luck
You do not have to completely rebuild the engine to take care of the valve/heads problem as a preventive measure. You just need to have the heads rebuilt at a cost of $3k to $4k..
It really all depends on what YOU want, and what you like. However, I will say this. I could have traded my C5 for a C7, but I chose to keep my C5 instead. The C6Z is a really great car, but I personally prefer the C5 over the C6 (although I do think the C6 has a somewhat nicer interior). Part of this decision would also depend on what you plan to do with the car. Are you going to keep it stock , or will you mod it? Will you track it? The very best piece of advice I can give you would be to go test drive all 3 of the cars that you're looking at. Once you've driven them, you'll know which one you want. Also, since you don't really care for silver, I would probably eliminate that one from the running. Wait until you find the exact car that you really want.
I won’t track it, I don’t think I will modify it.
The C6 and C7 are nicer but also pricer.
Its more then $10,000 between C5 Z06 and C6 Z06.
…..$10,000 is $10,000 and resale will be better on C5 Z 06…..I think.
Thank you
Unpopular opinion, but I don't think the interior of the C6 is any better or worse than the C5. I used to REALLY want a C6 and had no interest in a C5 until I actually got one. Food for thought.
I would seriously sit in both and find what you like. C5 is roomier and more comfortable. C6 has more tech, but it's all outdated. Who wants to look at a touch screen from 2006? I would upgrade either one, so none of that is important to me. The LS7 head rebuild is definitely something you'd have to do, yes, but that's not the end of the world either if you live near a good performance shop - and most of us do.
I'd love the extra 100hp for sure, but it just wasn't in my budget at all. But if both are in yours, it really comes down to one question: do you $10k like the C6 more than the C5?
Last edited by Stingroo; Aug 11, 2021 at 11:55 AM.
I agree the the C5 Z06 will depreciate less than the C6 Z06 will. If price and resale are your biggest concern, then the C5 is the clear choice. However, these are not investment cars. You're not going to make a profit on resale (especially buying now when prices are higher than usual). I would go with the car that brings you the most enjoyment. If you like the C6 more, then buy the C6. It's certainly faster, and has the fantastic widebody that the C5 Z06 doesn't. Regardless of what you decide, you should get a pre-purchase inspection. If the inspection comes back looking good, buy the one that will bring you the most enjoyment, and then go out and enjoy it! Since you aren't tracking or modding the car, it makes the choice easier. Which one do YOU like the best?
You do not have to completely rebuild the engine to take care of the valve/heads problem as a preventive measure. You just need to have the heads rebuilt at a cost of $3k to $4k..
Its not even that expensive if you do the labor yourself. Pulling the heads is easy.
1450 bucks plus shipping to AHP.
Need new head gaskets for 100 bucks(I think the GM MLS gaskets are 50 a piece) and new head bolts for ~100 bucks from GM or $200-250 from ARP.
I have a C7 GS and just got a C5 Z about 2 yrs ago and love it. I drive the C5Z more than the 17 GS. Great cars, more room, quieter and rides better. Replaced valve springs for security and drive it at least one per week to cruz in's and shows. I got mine before the prices went crazy. Good luck with it.
So I have had both cars, I think the C6 Z06 is a nicer car but you will be looking at really more like 15K more after you do the heads and what ever else it would need. Just as a note I just bought another C5 Z06 because they are also pretty great cars and you can't beat the price point. For me I have a few toy cars and prefer spending the other 15K on another car or truck. The C5 Z will fill any car void you have.
I have a modded (643/532 RW) 02Z, an it's way faster than a stock C6Z, but... (in your situation) I would spend the extra $ for a C6Z. You have to fix the heads, so get some Trickflows instead of fixing GM's screw up. Those, a cam and headers will give you all the NA power you need, with a nicer interior for sure. For me; I'll keep the C5. I love the roofline, it's been my dream car for 19 years, and it still takes care of my "need for speed".
You do not have to completely rebuild the engine to take care of the valve/heads problem as a preventive measure. You just need to have the heads rebuilt at a cost of $3k to $4k..
Yes you do. The heads aren’t the only problem.
The Ti connecting rods have a coating that wears off and the rods grind themselves into glitter. Plenty of guys had this happen. Total engine rebuild and if glittered change all the components that touch oil. Expensive.
Let me say what I think. I have a C7 Z06 Vert. Wanted a second Corvette for the first time that I have owned more than 1 at the same time. Went with a C5 as the C6 and I owned 5 different ones is to much closer to the C7 so I went old school C5 for the win my 5th C5. GOOD LUCK!
I've had the pleasure of owning several Vette's over the years (C4, a few C5's, and a C6) This one has been the best of the best (and my current one). 04 CE Z16/Z06. Just a well-rounded, powerful, sleek, and timeless shape. I would one day love to get a widebody C7 - but I would keep the C5Z as it is just an awesome car.
I won’t track it, I don’t think I will modify it.
The C6 and C7 are nicer but also pricer.
Its more then $10,000 between C5 Z06 and C6 Z06.
…..$10,000 is $10,000 and resale will be better on C5 Z 06…..I think.
Thank you
with you. Having that extra $ in the bank and still have a very nice Corvette. 405HP is plenty fast.
Its not even that expensive if you do the labor yourself. Pulling the heads is easy.
1450 bucks plus shipping to AHP.
Need new head gaskets for 100 bucks(I think the GM MLS gaskets are 50 a piece) and new head bolts for ~100 bucks from GM or $200-250 from ARP.
Plus an oil change and antifreeze change.
So under 2000 if you do the labor yourself...
All due respect;
And when those guides wear out, what next? Another set of serviced heads? We fought this battle back in 2012. Some go with bronze others go with Molstar 90. In short, it is not normal for the valve guides to wear at that rate. Which time will the car start and finally just drop a valve? I loved the 7.0 engine. Just not the lack of reliability. A certain member whom I will not name, has had heads serviced and then removed numerous times. Each time, worn guides and new valves. I will not reward GM for calling a car their "Flag ship", while paying near $80k to bring it home and pull the heads. Faulty geometry due to valve concentricity or hard rocker angle. We may never know. But GM did not step up and offer to help a lot of folks who were left holding a blown 427 for another $12k.
All due respect;
And when those guides wear out, what next? Another set of serviced heads? We fought this battle back in 2012. Some go with bronze others go with Molstar 90. In short, it is not normal for the valve guides to wear at that rate. Which time will the car start and finally just drop a valve? I loved the 7.0 engine. Just not the lack of reliability. A certain member whom I will not name, has had heads serviced and then removed numerous times. Each time, worn guides and new valves. I will not reward GM for calling a car their "Flag ship", while paying near $80k to bring it home and pull the heads. Faulty geometry due to valve concentricity or hard rocker angle. We may never know. But GM did not step up and offer to help a lot of folks who were left holding a blown 427 for another $12k.
If this' the case, why not just buy aftermarket heads? I wasn't aware of all the other issues that Josh mentioned, but it doesn't change my mind. C6Z is a better platform, drivetrain wise, and the stance is killer with the wide body flares. If it breaks, replace with better made parts.
Buying dilemma
with you. Having that extra $ in the bank and still have a very nice Corvette. 405HP is plenty fast.
